Mudslinging campaign mailer a disgrace to local politics

March 21, 2022

In politics negative campaigning or "mud slinging" has long been frowned upon. An honorable candidate focuses upon his or her attributes while refraining from insulting an opponent. We still see negative campaigning in national politics but it is extremely rare in local Idaho races.

I was appalled when a District 1 candidate recently sent a flyer in the mail which contained insults and lies about his rival. This must have been quite costly. Those who contributed to his campaign must be outraged to see their funds being wasted in such an inappropriate manner.

A portion of them are likely to switch their support to his opponent. Among undecided voters, this flyer will convince the majority of them to vote against him.

This foolish act has sealed the candidate's fate. He has moved from having little chance of victory to having practically no chance at all.